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Danks gets work in, but not happy with results

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By Scott Merkin
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MLB.com |

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- The calendar reads March 9 as the date of Saturday's 11-9 White Sox loss to the D-backs.

So the three earned runs John Danks allowed on seven hits over 2 1/3 innings mean little more than 56 pitches of work for the left-hander on this blustery afternoon at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick. But Danks actually got a little regular-season work done during his struggles.

In the second inning, Danks loaded the bases with one out on two singles and a walk. He then proceeded to strike out cleanup hitter Paul Goldschmidt on a 3-2 changeup and retired Eric Chavez on a popup to shortstop Alexei Ramirez to escape unscathed.

"That's definitely something I'll take away from today," said Danks, who threw 32 of his 56 pitches for strikes. "But I'd like to limit those bases-loaded, less-than-two-outs situations."

Danks' command wasn't as sharp as his Cactus League debut on Monday against the Giants, but he was pitching in slightly colder conditions. The southpaw, who is working his way back from Aug. 6 arthroscopic shoulder surgery, felt good on the mound and enjoyed the atmosphere of playing in front of 12,468 at Salt River Fields.

"I just wish I could have had better results," Danks said. "No one wants to go out there and get hit around, but in the grand scheme of things, the most important thing today was just being healthy and getting the pitches in. I felt good. I wasn't throwing as hard as I anticipate when it's all said and done.

"But I threw all four pitches. There wasn't any restraints, just go out there and pitch. I'd be lying to you a little bit if I said it didn't chap me getting hit around."

Scott Merkin is a reporter for MLB.com. Read his blog, Merk's Works, and follow him on Twitter @scottmerkin. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.